The U.K. Parliament is pushing ahead with a sprawling internet regulation bill that will, among other things, undermine the privacy of people around the world. The Online Safety Bill, now at the final stage before passage in the House of Lords, gives the British government the ability to force backdoors into messaging services, which will destroy end-to-end encryption. No amendments have been accepted that would mitigate the bill’s most dangerous elements. If it passes, the Online Safety Bill will be a huge step backwards for global privacy, and democracy itself.
“The U.K. Parliament is on the verge of passing the Online Safety Bill, a far-reaching internet regulation that poses a serious threat to global privacy and democracy. The bill would grant the British government the power to force backdoors into messaging services, effectively undermining end-to-end encryption. This move has been met with strong opposition from civil society groups, technical experts, human rights advocates, and the companies providing encrypted messaging services. Despite widespread resistance, the U.K. government continues to deny the negative implications of the bill. Efforts to protect privacy and encryption through amendments have been largely disregarded. The bill’s potential consequences extend beyond the borders of the U.K., affecting individuals worldwide who value the right to private conversations.”
Summary or article
“The U.K. Parliament is on the verge of passing the Online Safety Bill, a far-reaching internet regulation that poses a serious threat to global privacy and democracy. The bill would grant the British government the power to force backdoors into messaging services, effectively undermining end-to-end encryption. This move has been met with strong opposition from civil society groups, technical experts, human rights advocates, and the companies providing encrypted messaging services. Despite widespread resistance, the U.K. government continues to deny the negative implications of the bill. Efforts to protect privacy and encryption through amendments have been largely disregarded. The bill’s potential consequences extend beyond the borders of the U.K., affecting individuals worldwide who value the right to private conversations.”